N. Millstone (N. J.) Febr. 6th 1781

Revd. & very Dear Sir

I Acknowledge herewith the Recept of Yours by Mr. Braket. It Affords me Singular Pleasure that a Protecting Providence has hitherto favoured you in your Present Precarious Situation—Hackinsack is often to me a Subject of Admiration; a Vilage Contiguous to the Enimies Lines & Accessible from all Quarters Abounding with Whigs, warmly attached to their Country’s Interest, & a Larger Number according to its Dimensions than Perhaps any town in the State Could produce, to be Preserved, is indeed a Striking Instance of Divine Protection and Seems to indicate, that Notwithstanding your Complaint of religious Defection there is Still a Remnant—As far as I am Capable I shall take pleasure in Satisfying Your Curiosity Respecting the State of religion here—I Can Assure You Sir it wears a Pleasing Aspect; Several Make Profession of their faith & Confidence in Christ & Corroborate it with a Corresponding Practice, Several have been Awakened Since my last & Some who had degenerated from their former Exemplary piety, Seem to revive, & much regret their Backsliding: The Exercises of one in particular are very remarkable; a man formerly of a most Abandoned Profligate life; now Under the Severest Conviction. Discourses on their own Experiences; Efforts to Obtain knowledge of the Sacred truths, & family Devotion Prevails much Among them, and as Little Enthusiasm I think as I ever knew at a Similar Juncture—I much approve of Your Observation that the End of a thing is better than its beginning and when I add to this the Numerous Instances of Dfection, I cannot fear that there will be a Lot’s wife among them however I fondly hope the Whole Will not proove to be Wild-fire. Such is their taste for the Gospel, that they Would exact from me more Preaching than is Consistent in itself or my Circumstances of body & mind Would Admit of ——

I am Pleased with the mode in which the late Mutiny in the Jersey Line was Suppressed & Could Wish the Same Steps had been taken with the Pensylvanians—The Soldiers in Our Army have Doubtless many Causes of Complaint, but a spirit of insurrection Should never be indulged in an Army, They Marched thro this place in remarkable good Order; The fate of Sir Harry’s Wretched Emisaries Which, I presume you have heard Prooves Your Conjecture Respecting the Enemy’s Joy on the Occasion to have been Judicious—Recruiting Business we hear goes on in Pensylvania With Unexpected Success—If Mr Bracket tarrys with us till Thursday I shall Probably have it in my Power to Send you The paper;

I had Engaged a Quantity of butter, but from the bad Prospect of any Conveyance this winter I declined, should a proper Conveyance Occur I shall Endeavour to Procure Some for you: The Revd Mr. Leydt is recovered from his illness that had nearly Prooved the Cause of his Death, & is hammering away at the Ladies’ headdress with as much Vehemence As ever—Mr. Hardenbergh it is reported will move in the Spring:

I have the honour to be With Sincere

Respect & Esteem

Your Fellowlabourer in C

& Truy humble Servt

Solomon Freligh